Winter tyre laws in Germany
Winter tyres are required in wintry conditions (situational).
Germany requires winter tyres (Alpine/3PMSF symbol) whenever there is black ice, snow, slush, ice or frost on the road (§ 2 (3a) StVO). There is no fixed date; "O to O" (October to Easter) is a common rule of thumb.
- Rule
- Situational
- Period
- No fixed dates
Last verified 2 November 2026. Informational only, not legal advice. · Official source
From when do the winter tyre rules apply in Germany?
There are no fixed dates: what counts is the road and weather conditions. Germany requires winter tyres (Alpine/3PMSF symbol) whenever there is black ice, snow, slush, ice or frost on the road (§ 2 (3a) StVO). There is no fixed date; "O to O" (October to Easter) is a common rule of thumb.
When should you change to winter tyres before driving in Germany?
Legal dates are a minimum, not the best date. Winter tyres grip better once the average temperature stays below about 7 °C, and before the first frost or snow. The calculator works out the best days for any town.
Whatever the law says, the temperature decides how well your tyres grip. Use the calculator for dates tailored to your town and driving profile. Calculator